| The Lumineers – Big Parade Lyrics | 4 years ago |
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So much in life is a sham, a farce, a put-on, and the actors we encounter in this song are all part of life's "big parade" (what is intended to be seen by others). It's all a show, an act. The scenes we are shown all depict people who present as one way/are supposed to symbolize something, but are something else entirely when we look further. The lovely girl/saving grace has amplified the falsehoods of life/society to the singer through her good qualities. The candidate is meant to symbolize JFK (the next song on the album, Charlie Boy, explores this in more detail). Politicians lie, but I also see the armored cars/safety precautions as meaningless/a hollow display of protection that ultimately did nothing to protect him. Precautions were made, but the display was all for show, as JFK was assassinated. The beauty queens are wearing white gloves (white symbolizes innocence and purity), but have been out drinking the night before. Their lives are completely opposite from the image they present publicly, but yet they still feign elegance and sophistication by waving with pageantry (an affect that is only done for show). The boxing match is thrown, and the show here is ultimately an empty one - the result has already been set. The spectator who is unaware expects a fair fight, but there isn't a fight going on at all, when it comes down to it. The fight is more like a ballet of choreographed moves that results in the predetermined fix. The Catholic priest claims devotion to his religion, but is easily swayed from his faith by love. He likely puts on his own show at mass and listens to the confessions of others, but he's just as guilty of his own sins. I think the singer is the least harsh on this character due to the line "let him love, a man of faith." The singer is in love, too, and he is less judgmental, and more sympathetic of this plight. The musician sings songs for the lonely, but he isn't - he's in bed with his fans who have room keys to his hotel. They know all of the words - both to his songs, and the ones he says to them at night. His whole persona is an act - it's likely designed to get him even more women who think they can make him less lonely. Enter the lovely girl again. Life is corrupt, it's untrue, it's a lie - the singer knows this. His eyes are open and he wants her to stay - the one thing that feels real to him. She is honest and free of disguise. I also like the other interpretation here about this song containing different elements (politics, shallow beauty, sport, religion and entertainment). The singer rejects them all in favor of true love. I do wish the line, "burn the car, save the plates" was a little clearer to me, but I think it represents tearing down a material image. Plates are identifiers/are tied to the owner and their driving record, and that's what will remain after the exterior is burned away - the things that make someone them, whether they're bad or good. I'm a little late in discovering this song, but it really made me think. (Clearly!) |
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